Sivagami Aada
From Paattum Bharadhamum · 1975
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Paattum Bharadhamum1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Sivagaami aada vanthaal | If Sivagami comes to dance |
| Nadarajar enna seivaar | What will Lord Nadaraja do? |
| Sivagaami aada vanthaal | If Sivagami comes to dance |
| Nadarajar enna seivaar | What will Lord Nadaraja do? |
| Nadamaadi paarkattumae | Let her dance and see |
| Enthan udanaadi paarkkattumae | Let her dance along with me and see |
| Male | |
| Thookkiya kaalai konjam | If the raised leg is a little |
| Keezhae vaiththaal | Placed down on the ground |
| Ingu paakkiyai naanaaduvaen | I will dance the rest here |
| Male | |
| Thookkiya kaalai konjam | If the raised leg is a little |
| Keezhae vaiththaal | Placed down on the ground |
| Ingu paakkiyai naanaaduvaen | I will dance the rest here |
| Female :Antha paakkiyam naan kaanuvaen | Female: I shall behold that fortune |
| Male | |
| Nadarajanaa | Is it Lord Nadaraja? |
| Female :……………… | Female: (Musical interludes) |
| Male :Illai sivagaamiyaa | Male: Or is it Sivagami? |
| Female :……………… | Female: (Musical interludes) |
| Female | |
| Sivagaamiyaa | Is it Sivagami? |
| Female :……………… | Female: (Musical interludes) |
| Female :illai ndarajanaa | Female: Or is it Nadaraja? |
| Female :……………. | Female: (Musical interludes) |
| Male | |
| Kaalgal nadamaadinaal | When the feet dance |
| Vettri yaar kaanuvaar | Who will claim victory? |
| Kaalgal nadamaadinaal | When the feet dance |
| Vettri yaar kaanuvaar | Who will claim victory? |
| Male | |
| Sivagaami aada vanthaal | If Sivagami comes to dance |
| Nadarajar enna seivaar | What will Lord Nadaraja do? |
| Sivagaami aada vanthaal | If Sivagami comes to dance |
| Nadarajar enna seivaar | What will Lord Nadaraja do? |
| Nadamaadi paarkkattumae | Let her dance and see |
| Enthan udanaadi paarkkattumae | Let her dance along with me and see |
| Male | |
| Raththinagiri vaazhum saththiyamae | O Truth residing in Rathnagiri! |
| Ponnampalamae enakku un palamae | O Golden Hall of Chidambaram, your strength is my strength! |
| Raththinagiri vaazhum saththiyamae | O Truth residing in Rathnagiri! |
| Ponnampalamae enakku un palamae | O Golden Hall of Chidambaram, your strength is my strength! |
| Female | |
| Siththira sivagaami aaduthal pol neeyum | Just as the picture-perfect Sivagami dances, can you |
| Aadalundo thillai nadaraja | Also dance, O Nadaraja of Thillai? |
| Aadalundo thillai nadaraja | Also dance, O Nadaraja of Thillai? |
| Female | |
| Paattum bharathamum koottum sabhaithanil | In the gathering that unites song and Bharatanatyam |
| Salangaiyin oli konjuthu | The sound of ankle bells prattles pleasantly |
| Paattum bharathamum koottum sabhaithanil | In the gathering that unites song and Bharatanatyam |
| Salangaiyin oli konjuthu | The sound of ankle bells prattles pleasantly |
| Male | |
| Aadum ilaingan kalaiyin perumai | The fame of the dancing youth's art |
| Ilangai varai ketkuthu | Is heard all the way to Sri Lanka |
| Aadum ilaingan kalaiyin perumai | The fame of the dancing youth's art |
| Ilangai varai ketkuthu | Is heard all the way to Sri Lanka |
| Female | |
| Poovin kodi idaiyum | With a creeper-thin waist adorned with flowers |
| Suvai thaenin thirumozhiyum | And sweet words like delicious honey |
| Paruvam kulungum udaimai | Possessing youth that sways |
| Paavaiyen maeniyin kalaiyithu | This art belongs to the maiden's body |
| Paavaiyen maeniyin kalaiyithu | This art belongs to the maiden's body |
| Female | |
| Sivagaami aada vanthaal | If Sivagami comes to dance |
| Nadarajar enna seivaar | What will Lord Nadaraja do? |
| Nadamaadi paarkkattumae | Let her dance and see |
| Enthan udanaadi paarkkattumae | Let her dance along with me and see |
| Female | |
| ……………….. | (Instrumental musical segment) |
| Male | |
| Aaduvaar enbathanaal aadavar endraar | Because men are meant to move and act, they were called 'Aadavar' |
| Aadaatha pathumai endru paavaiyar endraar | Because women are like gentle statues, they were called 'Paavaiyar' |
| Aaduvaar enbathanaal aadavar endraar | Because men are meant to move and act, they were called 'Aadavar' |
| Aadaatha pathumai endru paavaiyar endraar | Because women are like gentle statues, they were called 'Paavaiyar' |
| Female | |
| Maanidam kaalaithaaan aada varumo | Can a human leg dance so gracefully? |
| Maanguyil poongural kooda varumo | Can a cuckoo's flower-like voice accompany it? |
| Maanidam kaalaithaaan aada varumo | Can a human leg dance so gracefully? |
| Maanguyil poongural kooda varumo | Can a cuckoo's flower-like voice accompany it? |
| Male | |
| Idam paarththu valam pogum kaalgalil | With feet moving deftly from left to right |
| Patham podum madhayaanai nadanam | A majestic dance like a rutting elephant stepping in rhythm |
| Female | |
| ……………….. | (Instrumental musical segment) |
| Male | |
| Naadhamum bharathamum saernthavan naayagan | The hero who combines musical rhythm and dance |
| Aano penno avan | Is he male or female? |
| Male | |
| …………….. | (Instrumental musical segment) |
| Male | |
| Poovaadum kuzhalaalai | To conquer with fame the woman with flower-adorned hair |
| Pugalodu naan vella | To win with glory |
| Nadamidum idam idhu sidhamparam | This place where dance happens is Chidambaram |
| Female | |
| ………………. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Maththala nandhiyin magan naan | I am the son of Nandhi who plays the mridangam |
| Male | |
| …………………. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Thaththuva vaarisu sivan naan | I am Shiva, the heir of philosophical wisdom |
| Female | |
| ………… | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Aadidum pennae | O dancing maiden! |
| Male | |
| ………………. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Naadagam enna | What is this drama? |
| Female | |
| ……………… | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Manathinil enna | What is in your mind? |
| Male | |
| ………………. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Thavaruvathenna | Why are you slipping or faltering? |
| Female | |
| : …………………. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Mayakkamaa | Is it dizziness? |
| Female | |
| …………….. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Kalakkamaa | Is it confusion? |
| Male | |
| ………………. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Kanakkilae | In calculations... |
| Female | |
| …………….. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Male | |
| Kuzhappamaa | Is there a mix-up? |
| Male | |
| …………….. | (Instrumental snippet) |
| Female :………………. | Female: (Vocal humming and solkattu) |
சிவகாமி ஆட வந்தால்
நடராஜர் என்ன செய்வார்
சிவகாமி ஆட வந்தால்
நடராஜர் என்ன செய்வார்
நடமாடி பார்க்கட்டுமே
எந்தன் உடனாடி பார்க்கட்டுமே
If Sivagami comes to dance
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
If Sivagami comes to dance
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Let her dance and see
Let her dance along with me and see
தூக்கியக் காலை கொஞ்சம்
கீழே வைத்தால்
இங்கு பாக்கியை நானாடுவேன்
If the raised leg is a little
Placed down on the ground
I will dance the rest here
தூக்கியக் காலை கொஞ்சம்
கீழே வைத்தால்
இங்கு பாக்கியை நானாடுவேன்
அந்த பாக்கியம் நான் காணுவேன்
If the raised leg is a little
Placed down on the ground
I will dance the rest here
Female: I shall behold that fortune
நடராஜனா
.....................
இல்லை சிவகாமியா
.....................
Is it Lord Nadaraja?
Female: (Musical interludes)
Male: Or is it Sivagami?
Female: (Musical interludes)
பெண்
: சிவகாமியா
.....................
இல்லை நடராஜனா
.....................
Is it Sivagami?
Female: (Musical interludes)
Female: Or is it Nadaraja?
Female: (Musical interludes)
கால்கள் நடமாடினால்
வெற்றி யார் காணுவார்.....
கால்கள் நடமாடினால்
வெற்றி யார் காணுவார்.....
When the feet dance
Who will claim victory?
When the feet dance
Who will claim victory?
சிவகாமி ஆட வந்தால்
நடராஜர் என்ன செய்வார்
சிவகாமி ஆட வந்தால்
நடராஜர் என்ன செய்வார்
நடமாடி பார்க்கட்டுமே
எந்தன் உடனாடி பார்க்கட்டுமே
If Sivagami comes to dance
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
If Sivagami comes to dance
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Let her dance and see
Let her dance along with me and see
ரத்தினகிரி வாழும் சத்தியமே
பொன்னம்பலமே எனக்கு உன் பலமே
ரத்தினகிரி வாழும் சத்தியமே
பொன்னம்பலமே எனக்கு உன் பலமே
O Truth residing in Rathnagiri!
O Golden Hall of Chidambaram, your strength is my strength!
O Truth residing in Rathnagiri!
O Golden Hall of Chidambaram, your strength is my strength!
சித்திர சிவகாமி ஆடுதல் போல் நீயும்
ஆடலுண்டோ தில்லை நடராஜா
ஆடலுண்டோ தில்லை நடராஜா
Just as the picture-perfect Sivagami dances, can you
Also dance, O Nadaraja of Thillai?
Also dance, O Nadaraja of Thillai?
பாட்டும் பரதமும் கூட்டும் சபைதனில்
சலங்கையின் ஒலி கொஞ்சுது
பாட்டும் பரதமும் கூட்டும் சபைதனில்
சலங்கையின் ஒலி கொஞ்சுது
In the gathering that unites song and Bharatanatyam
The sound of ankle bells prattles pleasantly
In the gathering that unites song and Bharatanatyam
The sound of ankle bells prattles pleasantly
ஆடும் இளைஞன் கலையின் பெருமை
இலங்கை வரை கேட்குது
ஆடும் இளைஞன் கலையின் பெருமை
இலங்கை வரை கேட்குது
The fame of the dancing youth's art
Is heard all the way to Sri Lanka
The fame of the dancing youth's art
Is heard all the way to Sri Lanka
பூவின் கொடி இடையும்
சுவைத் தேனின் திருமொழியும்
பருவம் குலுங்கும் உடைமை
பாவையென் மேனியின் கலையிது
பாவையென் மேனியின் கலையிது
With a creeper-thin waist adorned with flowers
And sweet words like delicious honey
Possessing youth that sways
This art belongs to the maiden's body
This art belongs to the maiden's body
சிவகாமி ஆட வந்தால்
நடராஜர் என்ன செய்வார்.......
நடமாடி பார்க்கட்டுமே
எந்தன் உடனாடி பார்க்கட்டுமே
If Sivagami comes to dance
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Let her dance and see
Let her dance along with me and see
.............................
(Instrumental musical segment)
ஆடுவார் என்பதனால் ஆடவர் என்றார்
ஆடாத பதுமை என்று பாவையர் என்றார்
ஆடுவார் என்பதனால் ஆடவர் என்றார்
ஆடாத பதுமை என்று பாவையர் என்றார்
Because men are meant to move and act, they were called 'Aadavar'
Because women are like gentle statues, they were called 'Paavaiyar'
Because men are meant to move and act, they were called 'Aadavar'
Because women are like gentle statues, they were called 'Paavaiyar'
மானிடம் காளைதான் ஆட வருமோ
மாங்குயில் பூங்குரல் கூட வருமோ
மானிடம் காளைதான் ஆட வருமோ
மாங்குயில் பூங்குரல் கூட வருமோ
Can a human leg dance so gracefully?
Can a cuckoo's flower-like voice accompany it?
Can a human leg dance so gracefully?
Can a cuckoo's flower-like voice accompany it?
இடம் பார்த்து வலம் போகும் கால்களில்
பதம் போடும் மதயானை நடனம்
With feet moving deftly from left to right
A majestic dance like a rutting elephant stepping in rhythm
...................................
(Instrumental musical segment)
நாதமும் பரதமும் சேர்ந்தவன் நாயகன்
ஆணோ பெண்ணோ அவன்
The hero who combines musical rhythm and dance
Is he male or female?
..............................
(Instrumental musical segment)
பூவாடும் குழலாளை
புகழோடு நான் வெல்ல
நடமிடும் இடம் இது சிதம்பரம்
To conquer with fame the woman with flower-adorned hair
To win with glory
This place where dance happens is Chidambaram
..................................
(Instrumental snippet)
மத்தள நந்தியின் மகன் நான்
I am the son of Nandhi who plays the mridangam
..............................
(Instrumental snippet)
தத்துவ வாரிசு சிவன் நான்
I am Shiva, the heir of philosophical wisdom
.....................
(Instrumental snippet)
ஆடிடும் பெண்ணே
O dancing maiden!
.............................
(Instrumental snippet)
நாடகம் என்ன
What is this drama?
.............................
(Instrumental snippet)
மனதினில் என்ன
What is in your mind?
.............................
(Instrumental snippet)
தவறுவதென்ன
Why are you slipping or faltering?
...............................
(Instrumental snippet)
மயக்கமா
Is it dizziness?
......................
(Instrumental snippet)
கலக்கமா
Is it confusion?
...........................
(Instrumental snippet)
கணக்கிலே
In calculations...
..........................
(Instrumental snippet)
குழப்பமா......
Is there a mix-up?
..........................................
.......................................
(Instrumental snippet)
Female: (Vocal humming and solkattu)
Sivagaami aada vanthaal
If Sivagami comes to dance
Nadarajar enna seivaar
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Sivagaami aada vanthaal
If Sivagami comes to dance
Nadarajar enna seivaar
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Nadamaadi paarkattumae
Let her dance and see
Enthan udanaadi paarkkattumae
Let her dance along with me and see
Thookkiya kaalai konjam
If the raised leg is a little
Keezhae vaiththaal
Placed down on the ground
Ingu paakkiyai naanaaduvaen
I will dance the rest here
Thookkiya kaalai konjam
If the raised leg is a little
Keezhae vaiththaal
Placed down on the ground
Ingu paakkiyai naanaaduvaen
I will dance the rest here
Female :Antha paakkiyam naan kaanuvaen
Female: I shall behold that fortune
Nadarajanaa
Is it Lord Nadaraja?
Female :………………
Female: (Musical interludes)
Male :Illai sivagaamiyaa
Male: Or is it Sivagami?
Female :………………
Female: (Musical interludes)
Sivagaamiyaa
Is it Sivagami?
Female :………………
Female: (Musical interludes)
Female :illai ndarajanaa
Female: Or is it Nadaraja?
Female :…………….
Female: (Musical interludes)
Kaalgal nadamaadinaal
When the feet dance
Vettri yaar kaanuvaar
Who will claim victory?
Kaalgal nadamaadinaal
When the feet dance
Vettri yaar kaanuvaar
Who will claim victory?
Sivagaami aada vanthaal
If Sivagami comes to dance
Nadarajar enna seivaar
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Sivagaami aada vanthaal
If Sivagami comes to dance
Nadarajar enna seivaar
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Nadamaadi paarkkattumae
Let her dance and see
Enthan udanaadi paarkkattumae
Let her dance along with me and see
Raththinagiri vaazhum saththiyamae
O Truth residing in Rathnagiri!
Ponnampalamae enakku un palamae
O Golden Hall of Chidambaram, your strength is my strength!
Raththinagiri vaazhum saththiyamae
O Truth residing in Rathnagiri!
Ponnampalamae enakku un palamae
O Golden Hall of Chidambaram, your strength is my strength!
Siththira sivagaami aaduthal pol neeyum
Just as the picture-perfect Sivagami dances, can you
Aadalundo thillai nadaraja
Also dance, O Nadaraja of Thillai?
Aadalundo thillai nadaraja
Also dance, O Nadaraja of Thillai?
Paattum bharathamum koottum sabhaithanil
In the gathering that unites song and Bharatanatyam
Salangaiyin oli konjuthu
The sound of ankle bells prattles pleasantly
Paattum bharathamum koottum sabhaithanil
In the gathering that unites song and Bharatanatyam
Salangaiyin oli konjuthu
The sound of ankle bells prattles pleasantly
Aadum ilaingan kalaiyin perumai
The fame of the dancing youth's art
Ilangai varai ketkuthu
Is heard all the way to Sri Lanka
Aadum ilaingan kalaiyin perumai
The fame of the dancing youth's art
Ilangai varai ketkuthu
Is heard all the way to Sri Lanka
Poovin kodi idaiyum
With a creeper-thin waist adorned with flowers
Suvai thaenin thirumozhiyum
And sweet words like delicious honey
Paruvam kulungum udaimai
Possessing youth that sways
Paavaiyen maeniyin kalaiyithu
This art belongs to the maiden's body
Paavaiyen maeniyin kalaiyithu
This art belongs to the maiden's body
Sivagaami aada vanthaal
If Sivagami comes to dance
Nadarajar enna seivaar
What will Lord Nadaraja do?
Nadamaadi paarkkattumae
Let her dance and see
Enthan udanaadi paarkkattumae
Let her dance along with me and see
………………..
(Instrumental musical segment)
Aaduvaar enbathanaal aadavar endraar
Because men are meant to move and act, they were called 'Aadavar'
Aadaatha pathumai endru paavaiyar endraar
Because women are like gentle statues, they were called 'Paavaiyar'
Aaduvaar enbathanaal aadavar endraar
Because men are meant to move and act, they were called 'Aadavar'
Aadaatha pathumai endru paavaiyar endraar
Because women are like gentle statues, they were called 'Paavaiyar'
Maanidam kaalaithaaan aada varumo
Can a human leg dance so gracefully?
Maanguyil poongural kooda varumo
Can a cuckoo's flower-like voice accompany it?
Maanidam kaalaithaaan aada varumo
Can a human leg dance so gracefully?
Maanguyil poongural kooda varumo
Can a cuckoo's flower-like voice accompany it?
Idam paarththu valam pogum kaalgalil
With feet moving deftly from left to right
Patham podum madhayaanai nadanam
A majestic dance like a rutting elephant stepping in rhythm
………………..
(Instrumental musical segment)
Naadhamum bharathamum saernthavan naayagan
The hero who combines musical rhythm and dance
Aano penno avan
Is he male or female?
……………..
(Instrumental musical segment)
Poovaadum kuzhalaalai
To conquer with fame the woman with flower-adorned hair
Pugalodu naan vella
To win with glory
Nadamidum idam idhu sidhamparam
This place where dance happens is Chidambaram
……………….
(Instrumental snippet)
Maththala nandhiyin magan naan
I am the son of Nandhi who plays the mridangam
………………….
(Instrumental snippet)
Thaththuva vaarisu sivan naan
I am Shiva, the heir of philosophical wisdom
…………
(Instrumental snippet)
Aadidum pennae
O dancing maiden!
……………….
(Instrumental snippet)
Naadagam enna
What is this drama?
………………
(Instrumental snippet)
Manathinil enna
What is in your mind?
……………….
(Instrumental snippet)
Thavaruvathenna
Why are you slipping or faltering?
: ………………….
(Instrumental snippet)
Mayakkamaa
Is it dizziness?
……………..
(Instrumental snippet)
Kalakkamaa
Is it confusion?
……………….
(Instrumental snippet)
Kanakkilae
In calculations...
……………..
(Instrumental snippet)
Kuzhappamaa
Is there a mix-up?
……………..
(Instrumental snippet)
Female :……………….
Female: (Vocal humming and solkattu)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic duet features a high-stakes competitive dance challenge (Jugalbandi) between two artists representing the divine cosmic duel of Lord Nadaraja and Goddess Sivagami in Chidambaram. The male dancer challenges the female dancer to match his rhythm and complex footwork, evoking classical mythologies of cosmic dance where Shiva raised his leg (Urdhva Tandava) to defeat Kali/Parvati.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Tharkurippu)
“Sivagaami aada vanthaal Nadarajar enna seivaar”
Comparing the dancers directly to Lord Nadaraja and Goddess Sivagami, elevating classical performance to cosmic divine dance.
Etymological Wordplay (Emonymic pun)
“Aaduvaar enbathanaal aadavar endraar; Aadaatha pathumai endru paavaiyar endraar”
Kannadasan plays with Tamil root words: 'Aadavar' (men, from 'aadu' meaning to dance/move) versus 'Paavaiyar' (women, from 'paavai' meaning doll or statue).
Rhyme / Monai (Initial Assonance)
“Maanidam kaalaithaaan aada varumo / Maanguyil poongural kooda varumo”
Use of matching initial consonants across lines (Maanidam / Maanguyil).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1975 dance-centric Tamil film 'Paattum Bharathamum' starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The choreography famously portrays intricate classical Bharatanatyam movements synchronized with rapid mridangam rhythmic patterns (solkattu).
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